Looking for some help

I’ve hit a problem that’s outside of any of my areas of expertise. My wife has decided she wants some new garb. The newest garb she has is probably a good 10 years old and she usually winds up borrowing one of my tunics and “Bob”ing it when she goes to events. But now she wants something new that will fit with my garb.

So last night we took some time and looked at a few options. I started out by showing her what I thought she’d look good in, a nice, 16th century German Gown, and she promptly replied that it was way too fancy for her (no matter how good I think she’d look in it) and began setting down some ground rules. First, no skirts that drag on the ground. Second, no super-long sleves. Third, she doesn’t want to buy it from a catalog, she wants to find someone “local” to make it for her (while she can sew, she won’t sew. Something about spending almost 10 years doing alterations at a dry-cleaners).

You see, the thing is, she doesn’t like dresses. I don’t mean she prefers pants, I mean she doesn’t like dresses. As in, I can count on one hand the number of times she’s worn a dress since we’ve been married and not drop my cup of coffee.

So I figured I’d show her a Persian outfit. And while she didn’t say no to it, she didn’t say yes, either.

Which leads me to my problems: trying to find a style of garb she likes, and finding someone willing to make it for her. Do any of you have any garb ideas beyond her wearing men’s styles? And do any of you know any Northern Artemisian seamsters/seamstresses looking to make a little extra money?